Amidst the controversy that the NDA Government is trying to dilute the UPA’s flagship scheme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), Rural Development Minister Birender Singh on Thursday tried to allay fears by saying that the Centre is only trying to further streamline the scheme and improve its implementation. The Opposition argued that there was an impression that the Government was either trying to wind up the rural job guarantee scheme, or dilute it.
Targeting the Government over its reported move to bring changes in MNREGA, the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, led by D Raja (CPI) said, “MNREGA enacted by UPA Government was part of the Common Minimum Programme which was supported by left parties. Now, what the BJP-led Government is doing is that they are weakening and diluting the Act. They are giving indication to say ‘good-bye’ to the scheme. This is a serious situation.” Raja had moved a Calling Attention on the issue. He said that the Government has reduced the budget allocation under MNREGA which has restricted the coverage area to few districts and changed the labour and material ration under the scheme. There were concerns from other members that these changes will encourage benami contractors and corruption under the scheme.
Replying to the motion, the Minister said the endeavour of the Government is to “further streamline and improve” implementation of the scheme. MNREGA, enacted in 2005, aims to provide 100 days of work to unskilled poor people living in rural areas. Members feared the number of days will be brought down from 100 to 46 days and limited to only 2,500 blocks instead of the present 6,500.
However, the Minister clarified that there will be no changes in the number of blocks. Instead, the 2,500 backward blocks will be given special focus. He said the Government has amended the law to allow 60 per cent of the works to be taken in a district for creating productive assets directly linked to agriculture and allied activities through development of land, water and trees.
The Minister also pointed out that to promote quality asset creation, convergence of MNREGA with the schemes of line departments is being encouraged. He added that to ensure smooth flow of funds and reduce delay in payment of wages an electronic fund management system is operational and being further strengthened and social audit is being encouraged.
Former Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said the scheme has led to creation of community assets like toilets and has been used for benefit of marginal farmers. He emphasised the scheme should be continued and with the same priorities as in the past.BSP’s Satish Chandra Mishra (BSP) said government was diluting the scheme and eventually trying to wind it up for the benefit of corporates.
Interestingly, BJP member Ram Narain Dudi too was critical of his government’s decision to shrink the scheme’s budget.BJD’s Bhupinder Singh argued that since MNREGA was made an Act through Parliament, any changes in the scheme have to be cleared by the Parliament.
KC Tyagi (JD-U) said that the focus of the NDA Government was more towards the industrial sector than poor. He also claimed that such decisions were being taken under the pressure of WTO. “Indian government’s policies are decided in Washington,” Tyagi said.